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The term “derelict land” is commonly used to describe land which is uncared for or which
has been damaged by some use or process and then neglected. From a landscape stand point the
term is applied to land which has become derelict and unsightly through human activities and
industrial operations.
Types of Dereliction:
Deep Mining
Surface Mining
Industry
Transport System – Disused railway lines, bridges
Waste Piles, Dumps, Sanitary Fills
Borrow Pits
Deep Mining : These operations usually produce soil heaps, derelict buildings and equipment,
and subsidence on the surface.
Surface Mining: Surface mining always result in a hole in the ground, which may either be a
single large excavation or a series ridges and hollows known as “ hill and dale” landscapes.
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The land is scalped, top soil is buried, debris is scattered, erosion started and streams and lakes
polluted with silts and other wastes. Noise, mud, dust , truck traffic and unsightly workings are
typical features.
Industry: Types of dereliction left behind by industry are varied. Areas occupied by chemical and
some of the ore smelting, industries have problems of toxicity and fusion of materials in waste
heaps.
Transport System – Disused railway lines, bridges: For disused railway line, dereliction is seen
in the cinder foundation of the tracks, derelict stations and other buildings, bridges gradually
becoming dangerous.
For roads, lack of use and maintenance soon leads to the gradual development of vegetation
cover and hedgerow vegetation.
In canals, the water sometimes becomes impassable with weed growth or it drains out
leaving a muddy exposed bottom.
The common feature of derelict railway lines, roads and canals is their linear character.
Waste Piles, Dumps, and Sanitary Fills: Theses vary from excavations filled with town refuse
to the dumping of metal wastes. These tend to spread and disfigure the complexion of regional
landscape and to poison the ecosystem.
AIM:
The most frequent aim of reclamation is to return to some useful function land which is
unsightly and neglected and cannot be put to use in its derelict condition. However, the emphasis
need not be on putting land to good use.
Reclamation Objectives:
The objectives for reclaiming derelict landscapes should be
Removal and prevention of pollution
Restoration of health and fertility of the landscape, sometimes leading to an improvement
on the original state of health and fertility
A result that either allows flexibility in future land uses or provides specifically for a planned
land use
A landscape which is visually acceptable and fits into surrounding landscape without discord
Providing an agreeable habitat for wildlife in a balanced ecosystem
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Aesthetics
Constraints of land uses.
II. Limitations imposed by materials found on site
III. Limitations imposed by the technical possibilities of machinery and known reclamation
techniques
PROCESS:.
A whole city or region may be revitalized, given form, breathing space and recreation places by the
reclamation of derelict lands.
1. REMOVAL OF BLIGHT:
A first step in the upgrading of a community landscape is the removal of offending trash, debris,
weeds and all other forms of pollution.
Stage I: Preventing further degradation ( i.e erosion prevention and the sealing off or
treatment of mine waste and other contaminants
Stage II: Rebuilding the top soil sections: The new topsoil section may be applied directly
on the stabilized land surface, if a supply is available from a well-managed sanitary landfills. A
satisfactory section can be constructed by the addition and intermixing of materials such as sand,
humus or other soil conditions. (Humus - organic constituent of soil formed by the decomposition of
plants)
Temporary erosion control plantings: Temporary erosion control planting are selected for
their ability to establish a quick cover. (e.g grass – Cynadon dactylon)
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Permanent Plantings: Plants well adapted to the site should be selected i.e., they should be
able to reproduce and sustain their populations for a substantial period of time.
Some of the important factors which may influence a designer in the plant selection of plants and
methods are
When the nature of the after use cannot be decided the design should aim at providing a landscape
which will not limit a large number of possible land uses.
CASE STUDIES:
2. Projects That Turn Damaged and Neglected Spaces Into Healthy, Beautiful Environments
http://inhabitat.com/10-landscape-design-projects-that-turn-damaged-and-neglected-spaces-into-
healthy-beautiful-environments/
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